Input sensing unit and display device having the same

ABSTRACT

An sensing unit including a first conductive layer including a first line portion including a first auxiliary sensing line, a second auxiliary sensing line, and a connection line, an insulating layer and a second conductive layer disposed on the insulating layer. The second conductive layer includes an electrode portion including a first sensing pattern and a second sensing pattern and a second line portion including a first sensing line overlapping the first auxiliary sensing line and connected to the first sensing pattern and a second sensing line overlapping the second auxiliary sensing line. The first sensing line is disposed between the second sensing pattern and the second sensing line, the connection line does not overlap the first auxiliary sensing line, crosses the first sensing line in a plan view, and connects the second sensing line to the second sensing pattern through contact holes defined through the insulating layer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from and the benefit of Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2019-0159958, filed on Dec. 4, 2019, which is herebyincorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND Field

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to a displaydevice. More particularly, the exemplary embodiments relate to ansensing unit and a display device having the sensing unit.

Discussion of the Background

A display device includes a display panel displaying an image and ansensing unit sensing an external input. The display panel includes adisplay area where the image is actually viewed from the outside. Thesensing unit includes a sensing area where the external input is sensedand a peripheral area defined adjacent to the sensing area and providedwith signal lines arranged therein. The signal lines arranged in theperipheral area are respectively connected to sensing electrodesarranged in the sensing area.

The display device displays the image through the display area havingvarious shapes and sizes. The sensing area and the peripheral area ofthe sensing unit are defined in consideration of the shape of thedisplay area. In recent years, some lines of the sensing lines arrangedin the peripheral area cross each other in a plan view due to thevarious shapes of the display area, which can increase the likelihood ofa short-circuit.

The above information disclosed in this Background section is only forunderstanding of the background of the inventive concepts, and,therefore, it may contain information that does not constitute priorart.

SUMMARY

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to an sensing unitcapable of preventing a short-circuit between sensing lines crossingeach other in a plan view among sensing lines.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to a displaydevice having the sensing unit.

Additional features of the inventive concepts will be set forth in thedescription which follows, and in part will be apparent from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the inventive concepts.

Exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts provide an sensing unitincluding a first conductive layer including a first line portioncomprising a first auxiliary sensing line, a second auxiliary sensingline, and a connection line whose one end is connected to the secondauxiliary sensing line, an insulating layer covering the firstconductive layer, and a second conductive layer disposed on theinsulating layer. The second conductive layer includes an electrodeportion including a first sensing pattern and a second sensing patternspaced apart from the first sensing pattern in a plan view and a secondline portion including a first sensing line overlapping the firstauxiliary sensing line and electrically connected to the first sensingpattern and a second sensing line overlapping the second auxiliarysensing line and spaced apart from the first sensing line. The firstsensing line is disposed between the second sensing pattern and thesecond sensing line, and the connection line does not overlap the firstauxiliary sensing line, crosses the first sensing line in the plan view,and electrically connects the second sensing line to the second sensingpattern through contact holes defined through the insulating layer.

The second conductive layer may further include a connection electrodeconnected to an end of the second sensing pattern, and the firstconductive layer further includes an auxiliary connection electrodeelectrically connected to the connection electrode through a firstcontact hole among the contact holes and connected to the other end ofthe connection line.

The first sensing line may be disposed between the connection line andthe second sensing line, and the second sensing line is electricallyconnected to the second auxiliary sensing line through a second contacthole among the contact holes.

The first sensing line may include a first line portion having a firstline width and a second line portion having a second line width greaterthan the first line width, and the connection line crosses the secondline portion in the plan view.

The second line portion of the first sensing line may be greater than aline width of the second sensing line.

An opening may be defined through the second line portion of the firstsensing line and extends in a longitudinal direction of the firstsensing line, and the connection line may overlap the opening.

The first auxiliary sensing line may include a first auxiliary portionoverlapping the first line portion and a second auxiliary portionoverlapping the second line portion and spaced apart from the firstauxiliary portion, and the connection line may be disposed in a spacebetween the first auxiliary portion and the second auxiliary portion.

The second sensing line may include a first line area and a second linearea, which have different line widths from each other, and theconnection line may be connected to the second auxiliary sensing lineoverlapping the second line area having a line width greater than thefirst line area.

The connection line may include a first connection line crossing thefirst sensing line and electrically connecting the second sensing lineand the second sensing pattern and a second connection line spaced apartfrom the first connection line, crossing the first sensing line, andelectrically connecting the second sensing line and the second sensingpattern.

Each of the first connection line and the second connection line mayinclude a plurality of sub-connection lines crossing the first sensingline and spaced apart from each other.

The electrode portion further may include a plurality of first sensingelectrodes extending in a first direction and arranged in a seconddirection perpendicular to the first direction and a plurality of secondsensing electrodes arranged in the first direction and extending in thesecond direction. Each of the first sensing electrodes may include thefirst sensing pattern provided in plural and first connection patternsconnecting the first sensing patterns, and each of the second sensingelectrodes may include the second sensing pattern provided in plural.The second line portion may further include a plurality of first sensinglines respectively connected to the first sensing electrodes and aplurality of second sensing lines respectively connected to the secondsensing electrodes.

The first sensing line may be one first sensing line closest to thesecond sensing lines among the first sensing lines, and the secondsensing line may be one second sensing line closest to the first sensinglines among the second sensing lines.

The second sensing lines may include first lines and second lines spacedapart from the first lines with the second sensing electrodes interposedtherebetween, the first lines are respectively connected to one ends ofcorresponding second sensing electrodes among the second sensingelectrodes, and the second lines are respectively connected to the otherends of the other corresponding second sensing electrodes among thesecond sensing electrodes.

The first conductive layer may include second connection patterns thatelectrically connect the second sensing patterns to each other.

Another exemplary embodiment of the inventive concepts provides adisplay device including a display panel and an sensing unit disposed onthe display panel and including a sensing area and a peripheral areaadjacent to the sensing area, which are defined therein. The sensingunit includes an electrode portion overlapping the sensing area andincluding a first sensing electrode and a second sensing electrodespaced apart from the first sensing electrode in a plan view, a lineportion overlapping the peripheral area and including a first sensingline connected to the first sensing electrode and a second sensing linespaced apart from the first sensing line, and a connection portiondisposed on a different layer from the first sensing line and the secondsensing line disposed on the same layer as the first sensing line andelectrically connecting the second sensing line and the second sensingelectrode. The connection line crosses the first sensing line disposedbetween the second sensing electrode and the second sensing line in aplan view and is insulated from the first sensing line.

The display device may further include a connection electrode connectedto an end of the second sensing electrode. One end of the connectionline may be electrically connected to the connection electrode, and theother end of the connection line may be electrically connected to thesecond sensing line.

The sensing unit may include a first insulating layer disposed on thedisplay panel, a second insulating layer covering the connection linedisposed on the first insulating layer, and a third insulating layercovering the electrode portion and the line portion, which are disposedon the second insulating layer.

Each of the first sensing line and the second sensing line may include afirst line disposed on the first insulating layer and a second lineoverlapping the first line, disposed on the second insulating layer, andelectrically connected to the first line through a plurality of contactholes defined through the second insulating layer.

Another exemplary embodiment of the inventive concepts provides ansensing unit including a first insulating layer including a sensing areaand a peripheral area adjacent to the sensing area, a first conductivelayer disposed on the first insulating layer and including a connectionline overlapping the peripheral area and a first electrode portionoverlapping the sensing area, a second insulating layer disposed on thefirst conductive layer, and a line portion disposed on the secondinsulating layer and including a second electrode portion includingfirst and second sensing electrodes overlapping the sensing area andspaced apart from each other, a first sensing line overlapping theperipheral area and connected to the first sensing electrode, and asecond sensing line spaced apart from the second sensing electrode withthe first sensing line interposed therebetween. The connection linecrosses the first sensing line in a plan view and electrically connectsthe second sensing electrode and the second sensing line through acontact hole defined through the second insulating layer.

The contact hole may include a first contact hole through which thesecond sensing electrode is electrically connected to one end of theconnection line and a second contact hole through which the secondsensing line is electrically connected to the other end of theconnection line, and the first sensing line may overlap between thefirst contact hole and the second contact hole.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and areintended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of theinvention, and together with the description serve to explain theinventive concepts.

FIG. 1 is an assembled perspective view showing an electronic apparatusaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an electronic apparatusaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a display module according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4A is a plan view showing a display panel according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4B is an enlarged view showing an area XX′ shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of a display paneloverlapping a display area according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an sensing unit according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing an sensing unit according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7A is an enlarged view showing an area AA shown in FIG. 6 accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7B is an enlarged view showing an area shown in FIG. 7A.

FIG. 8A is a plan view showing sensing signal lines shown in FIG. 6according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view taken along a line I-I′ shown in FIG.8A according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view showing an area BB shown in FIG. 6 accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line II-IF shown in FIG.9 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing a first sensing line anda first auxiliary sensing line shown in FIG. 9 according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view showing an area BB shown in FIG. 6 accordingto another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line shown in FIG. 12according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of various exemplary embodiments of the invention. As usedherein “embodiments” are non-limiting examples of devices or methodsemploying one or more of the inventive concepts disclosed herein. It isapparent, however, that various exemplary embodiments may be practicedwithout these specific details or with one or more equivalentarrangements. In other instances, well-known structures and devices areshown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuringvarious exemplary embodiments. Further, various exemplary embodimentsmay be different, but do not have to be exclusive. For example, specificshapes, configurations, and characteristics of an exemplary embodimentmay be used or implemented in another exemplary embodiment withoutdeparting from the inventive concepts.

Unless otherwise specified, the illustrated exemplary embodiments are tobe understood as providing exemplary features of varying detail of someways in which the inventive concepts may be implemented in practice.Therefore, unless otherwise specified, the features, components,modules, layers, films, panels, regions, and/or aspects, etc.(hereinafter individually or collectively referred to as “elements”), ofthe various embodiments may be otherwise combined, separated,interchanged, and/or rearranged without departing from the inventiveconcepts.

The use of cross-hatching and/or shading in the accompanying drawings isgenerally provided to clarify boundaries between adjacent elements. Assuch, neither the presence nor the absence of cross-hatching or shadingconveys or indicates any preference or requirement for particularmaterials, material properties, dimensions, proportions, commonalitiesbetween illustrated elements, and/or any other characteristic,attribute, property, etc., of the elements, unless specified. Further,in the accompanying drawings, the size and relative sizes of elementsmay be exaggerated for clarity and/or descriptive purposes. When anexemplary embodiment may be implemented differently, a specific processorder may be performed differently from the described order. Forexample, two consecutively described processes may be performedsubstantially at the same time or performed in an order opposite to thedescribed order. Also, like reference numerals denote like elements.

When an element, such as a layer, is referred to as being “on,”“connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may bedirectly on, connected to, or coupled to the other element or layer orintervening elements or layers may be present. When, however, an elementor layer is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to,”or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there are nointervening elements or layers present. To this end, the term“connected” may refer to physical, electrical, and/or fluid connection,with or without intervening elements. Further, the D1-axis, the D2-axis,and the D3-axis are not limited to three axes of a rectangularcoordinate system, such as the x, y, and z-axes, and may be interpretedin a broader sense. For example, the D1-axis, the D2-axis, and theD3-axis may be perpendicular to one another, or may represent differentdirections that are not perpendicular to one another. For the purposesof this disclosure, “at least one of X, Y, and Z” and “at least oneselected from the group consisting of X, Y, and Z” may be construed as Xonly, Y only, Z only, or any combination of two or more of X, Y, and Z,such as, for instance, XYZ, XYY, YZ, and ZZ. As is used herein, the term“and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of theassociated listed items.

Although the terms “first,” “second,” etc. may be used herein todescribe various types of elements, these elements should not be limitedby these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element fromanother element. Thus, a first element discussed below could be termed asecond element without departing from the teachings of the disclosure.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “under,” “lower,”“above,” “upper,” “over,” “higher,” “side” (e.g., as in “sidewall”), andthe like, may be used herein for descriptive purposes, and, thereby, todescribe one elements relationship to another element(s) as illustratedin the drawings. Spatially relative terms are intended to encompassdifferent orientations of an apparatus in use, operation, and/ormanufacture in addition to the orientation depicted in the drawings. Forexample, if the apparatus in the drawings is turned over, elementsdescribed as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would thenbe oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplaryterm “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below.Furthermore, the apparatus may be otherwise oriented (e.g., rotated 90degrees or at other orientations), and, as such, the spatially relativedescriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, thesingular forms, “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the pluralforms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Moreover,the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including,”when used in this specification, specify the presence of statedfeatures, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/orgroups thereof, but do not preclude the presence or is addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof. It is also noted that, as usedherein, the terms “substantially,” “about,” and other similar terms, areused as terms of approximation and not as terms of degree, and, as such,are utilized to account for inherent deviations in measured, calculated,and/or provided values that would be recognized by one of ordinary skillin the art.

Various exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference tosectional and/or exploded illustrations that are schematic illustrationsof idealized exemplary embodiments and/or intermediate structures. Assuch, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, forexample, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to beexpected. Thus, exemplary embodiments disclosed herein should notnecessarily be construed as limited to the particular illustrated shapesof regions, but are to include deviations in shapes that result from,for instance, manufacturing. In this manner, regions illustrated in thedrawings may be schematic in nature and the shapes of these regions maynot reflect actual shapes of regions of a device and, as such, are notnecessarily intended to be limiting.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure is a part. Terms,such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should beinterpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning inthe context of the relevant art and should not be interpreted in anidealized or overly formal sense, unless expressly so defined herein.

Hereinafter, the inventive concepts will be explained in detail withreference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an assembled perspective view showing an electronic apparatusEA is according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the electronic apparatusEA according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The electronic apparatus EA may be an apparatus activated in response toan electrical signal. The electronic apparatus EA may include variousembodiments. The electronic apparatus EA may be a tablet computer, anotebook computer, a computer, or a smart television. In the presentexemplary embodiment, a smart phone will be described as arepresentative example of the electronic apparatus EA.

Referring to FIG. 1, the electronic apparatus EA may display an image IMthrough a front surface FS. The front surface FS may include atransmission area TA and a bezel area BZA defined adjacent to thetransmission area TA.

The front surface FS is defined to be substantially parallel to asurface defined by a first direction DR1 and a second direction DR2. Anormal line direction of the front surface FS, i.e., a thicknessdirection of the electronic apparatus EA, may indicate a third directionDR3. In the following descriptions, the expression “when viewed in aplan view or in a plan view” may mean a state of being viewed in thethird direction DR3. Front (or upper) and rear (or lower) surfaces ofeach layer or each unit are distinguished from each other in the thirddirection DR3. However, directions indicated by the first, second, andthird directions DR1, DR2, and DR3 are relative to each other, and thus,the directions indicated by the first, second, and third directions DR1,DR2, and DR3 may be changed to other directions, for example, oppositedirections.

The electronic apparatus EA may display the image IM through thetransmission area TA. The image IM may include a still image and amotion image. FIG. 1 shows a clock widget and application icons as arepresentative example of the image IM.

The transmission area TA may have a quadrangular shape parallel to eachof the first direction DR1 and the second direction DR2. However, thisis merely exemplary. The transmission area TA may have a variety ofshapes, and the inventive concepts should not be particularly limited.

The bezel area BZA may surround the transmission area TA. However, thisis merely exemplary. The bezel area BZA may be disposed adjacent to onlyone side of the transmission area TA or may be omitted entirely. Theelectronic apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention may include various embodiments, and it should not beparticularly limited.

The electronic apparatus EA may sense a user input TC applied theretofrom the outside. The user input TC may include external inputs ofvarious forms, such as a part of the user's body, light, heat, orpressure. In addition, the electronic apparatus EA may sense theexternal inputs, e.g., a proximity input, applied when approaching closeto or adjacent to the electronic apparatus EA as well as a touch input.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the user input TC is shown as atouch operation using the user's hand applied to the front surface FS.However, this is merely exemplary. As described above, the user input TCmay be provided in various forms, and the electronic apparatus EA maysense the user input TC applied to a side or rear surface of theelectronic apparatus EA depending on a structure of the electronicapparatus EA, and, it should not be limited to a particular embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 2, the electronic apparatus EA may include a window100, a display module 200, a circuit board 300, an electronic module400, and an outer case 500. The window 100 and the outer case 500 arecoupled to each other to define an exterior of the is electronicapparatus EA.

The window 100 may be disposed on the display module 200 and may cover afront surface IS of the display module 200. The window 100 may includean optically transparent insulating material. For example, the window100 may include glass or plastic. The window 100 may have a single-layeror multi-layer structure. For example, the window 100 may have a stackstructure of a plurality of plastic films attached to each other by anadhesive or may have a stack structure of a glass substrate and aplastic film attached to the glass substrate by an adhesive.

The window 100 may include a front surface FS exposed to the outside.The front surface FS of the electronic apparatus EA may be defined bythe front surface FS of the window 100. The transmission area TA may bean optically transparent area. The transmission area TA may have a shapecorresponding to an active area AA defined in the display module 200.For example, the transmission area TA may overlap an entire surface orat least a portion of the active area AA. The image IM displayed throughthe active area AA of the display module 200 may be viewed from theoutside through the transmission area TA.

The bezel area BZA may have a relatively lower light transmittance thanthe transmission area TA. The bezel area BZA may define the shape of thetransmission area TA. The bezel area BZA may be defined adjacent to thetransmission area TA and may surround the transmission area TA.

The bezel area BZA may have a predetermined color. When the window 100includes a glass or plastic substrate, the bezel area BZA may be a colorlayer printed or deposited on one surface of the glass or plasticsubstrate. Alternatively, the bezel area BZA may be formed by coloring acorresponding area of the glass or plastic substrate.

The bezel area BZA may cover a non-active area NAA of the display module200 is to prevent the non-active area NAA from being viewed from theoutside. However, this is merely exemplary. In the window 100 accordingto the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the bezel area BZAmay be omitted.

The display module 200 may include a display panel DP and an sensingunit ISU, which are described with reference to FIG. 3. The displaypanel DP may include configurations appropriate to generate the imageIM. The image IM generated by the display panel DP may be viewed fromthe outside by a user through the transmission area TA. The sensing unitISU may sense the external input TC applied thereto. As described above,the sensing unit ISU may sense the external input TC provided to thewindow 100. In the present exemplary embodiment, the sensing unit ISUmay be described as an input sensing layer.

According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, thefront surface IS of the display module 200 may include a first area anda second area adjacent to the first area. The first area may correspondto a module area MA and the active area AA surrounding the module areaMA, and the second area may correspond to the non-active area NAA. Theactive area AA may be activated in response to an electrical signal. Themodule area MA and the second area may be defined as a non-display areain which the image is not displayed.

The active area AA may be a display area through which the image IM isdisplayed and may be a sensing area in which the external input TC issensed. The transmission area TA may overlap at least the active areaAA. For example, the transmission area TA may overlap the entire surfaceor at least a portion of the active area AA. Accordingly, the user mayview the image IM through the transmission area TA or may provide theexternal input TC through the transmission area TA. However, this ismerely exemplary. In the active area AA, an is area through which theimage IM is displayed and an area in which the external input TC issensed may be separated from each other. However, the inventive conceptsshould not be limited thereto or thereby.

The non-active area NAA may be covered by the bezel area BZA. Thenon-active area NAA may be disposed adjacent to the active area AA. Thenon-active area NAA may surround the active area AA. A driving circuitor a driving wiring line may be disposed in the non-active area NAA todrive the active area AA.

Various signal lines, pads PD, or electronic devices, which provideelectrical signals to the active area AA, may be disposed in thenon-active area NAA. The non-active area NAA may be covered by the bezelarea BZA, and thus, the non-active area NAA may not be viewed from theoutside.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the display module 200 may beassembled in a flat state such that the active area AA and thenon-active area NAA face the window 100. However, this is merelyexemplary. A portion of the non-active area NAA of the display module200 may be bent. In this case, the portion of the non-active area NAAmay be bent toward a rear surface of the electronic apparatus EA, andthus, the area of the bezel area BZA is reduced in the front side of theelectrode apparatus EA. Alternatively, the display module 200 may have apartially-bent shape in the active area AA. In addition, the non-activearea NAA may be omitted from the display module 200 according to anotherexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The module area MA may have a relatively high transmittance relative tothe same area as compared with the active area AA. The module area MAmay be defined at a position overlapping the electronic module 400described later when viewed in a plan view.

At least a portion of the module area MA may be surrounded by the activearea AA. In the present exemplary embodiment, the module area MA may bespaced apart from the non-active area NAA. The module area MA may bedefined in the active area AA such that an entire edge of the modulearea MA is surrounded by the active area AA.

The display module 200 may include a panel hole MH defined through thedisplay module 200 in the module area MA. The panel hole MH maypenetrate through at least one of the display panel DP and the sensingunit ISU. The edge of the module area MA may be spaced apart from anedge of the panel hole MH and may extend along the edge of the panelhole MH. The edge of the module area MA may have a shape correspondingto the panel hole MH.

The circuit board 300 may be connected to the display module 200. Thecircuit board 300 may include a flexible board CF and a main board MB.The flexible board CF may include an insulating film and conductivelines mounted on the insulating film. The conductive lines may beconnected to the pads PD to electrically connect the circuit board 300to the display module 200.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the flexible board CF may be bentwhile being assembled. Therefore, the main board MB may be disposed onthe rear surface of the display module 200 and may be stablyaccommodated in a space provided by the outer case 500. In the presentexemplary embodiment, the flexible board CF may be omitted, and in thiscase, the main board MB may be connected directly to the display module200.

The main board MB may include signal lines and electronic devices, whichare not shown. The electronic devices may be connected to the signallines and may be electrically connected to the display module 200. Theelectronic devices may generate various electrical signals, for example,signals to generate the image IM or signals to sense the external inputTC, is or may process the sensed signal. A plurality of the main boardsMB may be provided to respectively correspond to the electrical signalsto be generated or processed. However, the inventive concepts should notbe particularly limited.

In the electronic apparatus EA according to the exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention, the driving circuit that provides the electricalsignal to the active area AA may be mounted directly on the displaymodule 200. In this case, the driving circuit may be mounted in a chipform or may be formed together with pixels PX. In this case, the area ofthe circuit board 300 may be reduced, or the circuit board 300 may beomitted entirely. The electronic apparatus EA according to the exemplaryembodiment of the present invention may include various embodiments,and, the electronic apparatus EA should not be particularly limited.

The electronic module 400 may be disposed under the window 100. Theelectronic module 400 may overlap the panel hole MH defined in themodule area MA. The electronic module 400 may receive the external inputtransmitted through the module area MA or may provide an output throughthe module area MA.

Among components of the electronic module 400, a receiving unitreceiving the external input or an outputting unit providing the outputmay overlap the module area MA in the plan view. All or a portion of theelectronic module 400 may be accommodated in the module area MA or thepanel hole MH. According to the present exemplary embodiment, since theelectronic module 400 is disposed to overlap the active area AA, thesize of the bezel area BZA may be reduced.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the display module 200according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the display panel DP may include a base substrateBS, a is circuit element layer DP-CL, a display element layer DP-OLED,and an insulating layer TFL, which are disposed on the base substrateBS.

According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, thedisplay panel DP may be a light-emitting type display panel, however, itshould not be particularly limited. For instance, the display panel DPmay be an organic light emitting display panel or a quantum dot lightemitting display panel. A light emitting layer of the organic lightemitting display panel may include an organic light emitting material. Alight emitting layer of the quantum dot light emitting display panel mayinclude a quantum dot and a quantum rod. Hereinafter, the organic lightemitting display panel will be described as a representative example ofthe display panel DP.

The display panel DP may include a display area DP-DA and a non-displayarea DP-NDA. The display area DP-DA of the display panel DP maycorrespond to the active area AA shown in FIG. 2, and the non-displayarea DP-NDA of the display panel DP may correspond to the non-activearea NAA shown in FIG. 2.

The base substrate BS may include at least one plastic film. The basesubstrate BS may be a flexible substrate and may include a plasticsubstrate, a glass substrate, a metal substrate, or an organic/inorganiccomposite substrate.

The circuit element layer DP-CL may include at least one intermediateinsulating layer and a circuit element. The intermediate insulatinglayer may include at least one intermediate inorganic layer and at leastone organic layer. The circuit element may include signal lines and apixel driving circuit.

The display element layer DP-OLED may include a plurality of displayelements. As an example, the display element layer DP-OLED may beorganic light emitting diodes. The is display element layer DP-OLED mayfurther include an organic layer such as a pixel definition layer.

The insulating layer TFL may encapsulate the display element layerDP-OLED. As an example, the insulating layer TFL may be a thin filmencapsulation layer. The insulating layer TFL may protect the displayelement layer DP-OLED from moisture, oxygen, and a foreign substance,such as dust particles.

The sensing unit ISU may be disposed directly on the display panel DP tosense the input applied thereto from the outside. The input from theoutside may be the user input TC described with reference to FIG. 1. Inthis specification, the expression “component “A” is directly disposedon component “B”” means that no intervening elements, such as anadhesive layer, are present between the component “A” and the component“B”. In the present exemplary embodiment, the sensing unit ISU may beformed together with the display panel DP through successive processes.

FIG. 4A is a plan view showing the display panel according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4B is an enlargedview showing an area XX′ shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4C is a cross-sectionalview showing a portion of the display panel overlapping a display areaaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The display panel DP may include the base substrate BS, the pixels PX,the signal lines GL, DL, and PL, and the pads PD.

Referring to FIG. 4A, the display panel DP may include the basesubstrate BS, the pixels PX, the signal lines GL, DL, and PL, and thedisplay pads PD. The base substrate BS may include an insulatingsubstrate. For example, the base substrate BS may include a glasssubstrate, a plastic substrate, or a combination thereof.

The signal lines GL, DL, and PL may be connected to the pixels PX andmay transmit the electrical signals to the pixels PX. Among the signallines included in the display panel DP, a scan line GL, a data line DL,and a power line PL are shown as a representative example. However,these are merely exemplary. The signal lines GL, DL, and PL may furtherinclude at least one of a power line, an initialization voltage line,and a light emitting control line, and the inventive concepts should notbe limited to a particular embodiment.

The pixels PX may be arranged in the display area DP-DA. In the presentexemplary embodiment, a signal circuit diagram of one pixel PX among thepixels is enlarged and shown. The pixel PX may include a firsttransistor T1, a capacitor CP, a second transistor T2, and an organiclight emitting diode OLED. The first transistor T1 may be a switchingdevice that controls an ON/OFF of the pixel PX. The first transistor T1may transmit or block a data signal applied thereto through the dataline DL in response to a scan signal applied thereto through the scanline GL.

The capacitor CP may be connected to the first transistor T1 and thepower line PL. The capacitor CP may be charged with electric chargescorresponding to a difference in electric potential between the datasignal provided from the first transistor T1 and a first power signalapplied to the power line PL.

The second transistor T2 may be connected to the first transistor T1,the capacitor CP, and the organic light emitting diode OLED. The secondtransistor T2 may control a driving current flowing through the organiclight emitting diode OLED in response to an amount of the electriccharges charged in the capacitor CP. A turn-on time of the secondtransistor T2 may be determined by the amount of the electric chargescharged in the capacitor CP. The second transistor T2 may apply thefirst power signal provided through the power line PL to the organic islight emitting diode OLED during its turn-on time.

The organic light emitting diode OLED may generate the light or maycontrol an amount of the light in response to the electrical signals.For example, the organic light emitting diode OLED may include anorganic light emitting device, a quantum dot light emitting device, anelectrophoretic device, or an electrowetting device.

The organic light emitting diode OLED may receive a first power sourcevoltage ELVDD provided from the power line PL and may receive a secondpower source voltage ELVSS from a power electrode (not shown). The firstpower source voltage ELVDD may be applied to a first electrode of theorganic light emitting diode OLED through the second transistor T2, andthe second power source voltage ELVSS may be applied to a secondelectrode of the organic light emitting diode OLED through the powerelectrode (not shown). The second power source voltage ELVSS may belower than the first power source voltage ELVDD.

The driving current corresponding to a difference between the firstpower source voltage ELVDD provided from the second transistor T2 andthe second power source voltage ELVSS may flow through the organic lightemitting diode OLED, and the organic light emitting diode OLED maygenerate the light corresponding to the driving current. However, thisis merely exemplary, and each of the pixels PX may include electronicdevices having various configurations and arrangements, and theinventive concepts should not be particularly limited.

The pixels PX may be arranged around the panel hole MH and may surroundthe panel hole MH in a plan view.

The pads PD may include a first pad P1 and a second pad P2. The firstpad P1 may be provided in plural and may be respectively connected tothe data lines DL. The second pad P2 may be connected to a power patternVDD to be electrically connected to the power line is PL. The displaypanel DP may apply the electrical signals provided thereto from theoutside through the pads PD to the pixels PX. The pads PD may furtherinclude pads to receive other electrical signals in addition to thefirst pad P1 and the second pad P2. However, the pads PD should not belimited thereto or thereby.

In FIG. 4B, the module area MA shown in FIG. 2 is represented by adotted line. The area XX′ includes the area in which the panel hole MHis defined. Hereinafter, the display panel DP in the area where thepanel hole MH is defined will be described in detail with reference toFIG. 4B.

As described above, the panel hole MH may be defined in the display areaDP-DA. Accordingly, at least some of the pixels PX may be arrangedadjacent to the panel hole MH. Some of the pixels PX may surround thepanel hole MH.

A predetermined groove pattern GV may be defined in the module area MA.The groove pattern GV may be disposed along an edge of the panel hole MHin a plan view, and in the present exemplary embodiment, the groovepattern GV may have a circular ring shape that surrounds the panel holeMH. However, this is merely exemplary. The groove pattern GV may have ashape different from that of the panel hole MH, a polygonal shape, anoval shape, a closed line shape provided with at least a curved line, ora shape including a plurality of patterns that are partially cut, andthe inventive concepts should not be limited to a specific embodiment.

The groove pattern GV may correspond to a portion recessed from thefront surface of the display panel DP and may block a path through whichmoisture and oxygen that penetrates through the panel hole MH flows intothe pixel PX.

A plurality of signal lines SL1 and SL2 connected to the pixels PX maybe disposed in the module area MA. The signal lines SL1 and SL2 may beconnected to the pixels is PX through the module area MA. For theconvenience of explanation, FIG. 4B shows a first signal line SL1 and asecond signal line SL2 among the signal lines connected to the pixels PXas a representative example.

The first signal line SL1 may extend in the first direction DR1. Thefirst signal line SL1 may be connected to pixels arranged in the samerow along the first direction DR1 among the pixels PX. The first signalline SL1 will be described as corresponding to the scan line GL.

Some pixels among the pixels connected to the first signal line SL1 maybe arranged at a left side with respect to the panel hole MH, and theother pixels may be disposed at a right side with respect to the panelhole MH. Therefore, the pixels arranged in the same row and connected tothe first signal line SL1 may be turned on/off by the same gate signaleven though some pixels are omitted with respect to the panel hole MH.

The second signal line SL2 may extend in the second direction DR2. Thesecond signal line SL2 may be connected to pixels arranged in the samecolumn along the second direction DR2 among the pixels PX. The secondsignal line SL2 will be described as corresponding to the data line DL.

Some pixels among the pixels connected to the second signal line SL2 maybe arranged at an upper side with respect to the panel hole MH, and theother pixels may be disposed at a lower side with respect to the panelhole MH. Therefore, the pixels arranged in the same column and connectedto the second signal line SL2 may receive the data signal through thesame data line even though some pixels are omitted with respect to thepanel hole MH.

Referring to FIG. 4C, the display panel DP may include a plurality ofinsulating layers, a semiconductor pattern, a conductive pattern, and asignal line. An insulating layer, a is semiconductor layer, and aconductive layer may be formed by a coating or depositing process. Then,the insulating layer, the semiconductor layer, and the conductive layermay be selectively patterned by a photolithography process. Thesemiconductor pattern, the conductive pattern, and the signal lineincluded in the circuit element layer DP-CL and the display elementlayer DP-OLED may be formed. The display panel DP shown in FIG. 4C willbe described as including additional elements when compared with thefirst transistor T1 and the second transistor T2 of the pixel PX shownin FIG. 4B.

The base substrate BS may include a synthetic resin film. The syntheticresin film may include a heat-curable resin. The base substrate BS mayhave a multi-layer structure. For instance, the base substrate BS mayhave a three-layer structure of a synthetic resin layer, an adhesivelayer, and a synthetic resin layer. In particular, the synthetic resinlayer may be a polyimide-based resin layer, and a material for thesynthetic resin layer should not be particularly limited. The syntheticresin layer may include at least one of an acrylic-based resin, amethacrylic-based resin, a polyisoprene, a vinyl-based resin, anepoxy-based resin, a urethane-based resin, a cellulose-based resin, asiloxane-based resin, a polyamide-based resin, and a perylene-basedresin. The base substrate BS may include a glass substrate, a metalsubstrate, or an organic/inorganic composite substrate.

At least one inorganic layer may be formed on an upper surface of thebase substrate BS. The inorganic layer may include at least one ofaluminum oxide, titanium oxide, silicon oxide, silicon oxynitride,zirconium oxide, and hafnium oxide. The inorganic layer may be formed inmultiple layers. The inorganic layers may form a barrier layer and/or abuffer layer. In the present exemplary embodiment, the display panel DPmay include a buffer layer BFL.

The buffer layer BFL may increase a coupling force between the basesubstrate is BS and the semiconductor pattern. The buffer layer BFL mayinclude a silicon oxide layer and a silicon nitride layer, and thesilicon oxide layer and the silicon nitride layer may be alternatelystacked with each other.

The semiconductor pattern may be disposed on the buffer layer BFL. Thesemiconductor pattern may include polysilicon. However, the inventiveconcepts should not be limited thereto or thereby. The semiconductorpattern may include amorphous silicon or metal oxide.

FIG. 4C shows only a portion of the semiconductor pattern, and thesemiconductor pattern may be further disposed in other areas of thepixels in a plan view. The semiconductor pattern may be arranged with aspecific rule over the pixels PX. The semiconductor pattern may havedifferent electrical properties depending on whether it is doped. Thesemiconductor pattern may include a doped region and a non-doped region.The doped region may be doped with an N-type dopant or a P-type dopant.A P-type transistor may include a doped region doped with the P-typedopant.

The doped region may have a conductivity greater than that of thenon-doped region and may substantially serve as an electrode or signalline. The non-doped region may substantially correspond to an activeregion (or channel). In other words, a portion of the semiconductorpattern may be the active region of the transistor, another portion ofthe semiconductor pattern may be a source or a drain of the transistor,and still another portion of the semiconductor pattern may be aconnection electrode or a connection signal line.

As shown in FIG. 4C, a source S1, an active region A1, and a drain D1 ofthe first transistor T1 may be formed from the semiconductor pattern,and a source S2, an active region A2, and a drain D2 of the secondtransistor T2 may be formed from the semiconductor pattern. The sourcesS1 and S2 and the drains D1 and D2 may extend in opposite directions toeach other from the active regions A1 and A2. FIG. 4C shows a portion ofa connection signal line SCL formed from the semiconductor pattern.Although not shown in figures, the connection signal line SCL may beconnected to the drain D2 of the second transistor T2 in a plan view.

A first insulating layer 10 may be disposed on the buffer layer BFL. Thefirst insulating layer 10 may commonly overlap the pixels PX and maycover the semiconductor pattern. The first insulating layer 10 may be aninorganic layer and/or an organic layer and may have a single-layer ormulti-layer structure. The first insulating layer 10 may include atleast one of aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, silicon oxide, siliconoxynitride, zirconium oxide, and hafnium oxide. In the present exemplaryembodiment, the first insulating layer 10 may have a single-layerstructure of a silicon oxide layer. Not only the first insulating layer10, but also an insulating layer of the circuit element layer DP-CLdescribed later may be an inorganic layer and/or an organic layer andmay have a single-layer or multi-layer structure. The inorganic layermay include at least one of the above-mentioned materials.

Gates G1 and G2 may be disposed on the first insulating layer 10. Thegates G1 and G2 may be portions of a metal pattern. The gates G1 and G2may overlap the active regions A1 and A2, respectively. The gates G1 andG2 may be used as a mask in a process of doping the semiconductorpattern.

A second insulating layer 20 may be disposed on the first insulatinglayer 10 and may cover the gates G1 and G2. The second insulating layer20 may commonly overlap the pixels PX. The second insulating layer 20may be an inorganic layer and/or an organic layer and may have asingle-layer or multi-layer structure. In the present exemplaryembodiment, the second insulating layer 20 may have a single-layerstructure of silicon oxide.

An upper electrode UE may be disposed on the second insulating layer 20.The upper electrode UE may overlap the gate G2 of the second transistorT2. The upper electrode UE may be a portion of a metal pattern. Aportion of the gate G2 and the upper electrode UE overlapping theportion of the gate G2 may define the capacitor CP (refer to FIG. 4A).

A third insulating layer 30 may be disposed on the second insulatinglayer 20 and may cover the upper electrode UE. In the present exemplaryembodiment, the third insulating layer 30 may have a single-layerstructure of a silicon oxide layer. A first connection electrode CNE1may be disposed on the third insulating layer 30. The first connectionelectrode CNE1 may be connected to the connection signal line SCLthrough a contact hole CNT-1 defined through the first, second, andthird insulating layers 10, 20, and 30.

A fourth insulating layer 40 may be disposed on the third insulatinglayer 30 to cover the first connection electrode CNE1. The fourthinsulating layer 40 may have a single-layer structure of a silicon oxidelayer. A fifth insulating layer 50 may be disposed on the fourthinsulating layer 40. The fifth insulating layer 50 may be an organiclayer. A second connection electrode CNE2 may be disposed on the fifthinsulating layer 50. The second connection electrode CNE2 may beconnected to the first connection electrode CNE1 through a contact holeCNT-2 defined through the fourth insulating layer 40 and the fifthinsulating layer 50.

A sixth insulating layer 60 may be disposed on the fifth insulatinglayer 50 and may cover the second connection electrode CNE2. The sixthinsulating layer 60 may be an organic layer. The first electrode AE maybe disposed on the sixth insulating layer 60. The first electrode AE maybe connected to the second connection electrode CNE2 through a contacthole CNT-3 defined through the sixth insulating layer 60. An opening OPmay be defined through a pixel definition layer PDL. At least a portionof the first electrode AE may be exposed through is the opening OP ofthe pixel definition layer PDL.

As shown in FIG. 4C, the display area DA may include a pixel area PXAand a light blocking area NPXA defined adjacent to the pixel area PXA.The light blocking area NPXA may surround the pixel area PXA. In thepresent exemplary embodiment, the pixel area PXA may be defined tocorrespond to the portion of the first electrode AE exposed through theopening OP.

A hole control layer HCL may be commonly disposed in the pixel area PXAand the light blocking area NPXA. The hole control layer HCL may includea hole transport layer and may further include a hole injection layer. Alight emitting layer EML may be disposed on the hole control layer HCL.The light emitting layer EML may be disposed in an area corresponding tothe opening OP. That is, the light emitting layer EML may be formed ineach of the pixels PX after being divided into portions.

An electron control layer ECL may be disposed on the light emittinglayer EML. The electron control layer ECL may include an electrontransport layer and may further include an electron injection layer. Thehole control layer HCL and the electron control layer ECL may becommonly formed in the plural pixels using an open mask. The secondelectrode CE may be disposed on the electron control layer ECL. Thesecond electrode CE may have an integral shape and may be commonlydisposed in the pixels PX.

The insulating layer TFL may be disposed on the second electrode CE.According to the present disclosure, the insulating layer TFL mayinclude a plurality of thin layers. For instance, although not shown infigures, the insulating layer TFL may have a structure in which aninorganic layer and an organic layer are stacked.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the sensing unit according toan is exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the sensing unit ISU may include a first sensinginsulating layer IS-IL1, a first conductive layer IS-CL1, a secondsensing insulating layer IS-IL2, a second conductive layer IS-CL2, and athird sensing insulating layer IS-IL3. The first sensing insulatinglayer IS-IL1 may be disposed directly on the insulating layer TFL.However, the inventive concepts should not be limited thereto orthereby. The first sensing insulating layer IS-IL1 may be omitted, andin this case, the first conductive layer IS-CL1 may be disposed directlyon the insulating layer TFL.

Each of the first conductive layer IS-CL1 and the second conductivelayer IS-CL2 may have a single-layer structure or a multi-layerstructure of layers stacked in the third direction DR3. The conductivelayer having the multi-layer structure may include at least two layersamong transparent conductive layers and metal layers. The conductivelayer having the multi-layer structure may include metal layersincluding different metals from each other.

The transparent conductive layer may include indium tin oxide (ITO),indium zinc oxide (IZO), zinc oxide (ZnO), indium tin zinc oxide (ITZO),PEDOT, a metal nanowire, or a graphene. The metal layer may includemolybdenum, silver, titanium, copper, aluminum, or alloys thereof. Forinstance, each of the first conductive layer IS-CL1 and the secondconductive layer IS-CL2 may have a three-layer structure oftitanium/aluminum/titanium. A metal layer having a relatively highdurability and a relatively low reflectance may be applied as an outerlayer, and a metal layer having a high electrical conductivity may beapplied as an inner layer.

According to the present exemplary embodiment, each of the firstconductive layer IS-CL1 and the second conductive layer IS-CL2 mayinclude a conductive pattern. For example, the first conductive layerIS-CL1 may include a first conductive pattern including a is firstelectrode portion and a first line portion, and the second conductivelayer IS-CL2 may include a second conductive pattern including a secondelectrode portion and a second line portion.

Each of the first sensing insulating layer IS-IL1, the second sensinginsulating layer IS-IL2, and the third sensing insulating layer IS-IL3may include an inorganic layer or an organic layer. In the presentexemplary embodiment, the first sensing insulating layer IS-IL1 may bean inorganic layer. However, the inventive concepts should not belimited thereto or thereby. For instance, the first sensing insulatinglayer IS-IL1 and the second sensing insulating layer IS-IL2 may be theinorganic layer, and the third sensing insulating layer IS-IL3 may bethe organic layer.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the sensing unit ISU according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7A is an enlargedview showing an area AA shown in FIG. 6 according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7B is an enlarged view showingan area shown in FIG. 7A.

Referring to FIG. 6, the sensing unit ISU may include a sensing area ARand a peripheral area NAR, which are defined therein. The sensing areaAR and the peripheral area NAR of the sensing unit ISU may correspond tothe active area AA and the non-active area NAA of the display module 200shown in FIG. 2. The sensing area AR may be activated in response to anelectrical signal. For example, the sensing area AR may be an area inwhich an input is sensed. The peripheral area NAR may surround thesensing area AR.

Although not shown in FIG. 6, a hole area corresponding to the panelhole MH shown in FIG. 2 may be defined in the sensing area AR of thesensing unit ISU. The hole area may be defined by removing all or atleast a portion of components forming the sensing unit ISU.

In detail, referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the sensing unit ISU may includefirst sensing electrodes E1, second sensing electrodes E2, dummypatterns DMP, sensing lines SL-T, SL-R1, and SL-R2, and pad portionsPD1, PD2 a, and PD2 b. The first sensing electrodes E1, the secondsensing electrodes E2, and the dummy patterns DMP may be disposed in thesensing area AR, and the sensing lines SL-T, SL-R1, and SL-R2 may bedisposed in the peripheral area NAR.

The sensing unit ISU may obtain information about the external inputbased on a variation in capacitance between the first sensing electrodesE1 and the second sensing electrodes E2. The first sensing electrodes E1may be arranged in the first direction DR1 and may extend in the seconddirection DR2. Each of the first sensing electrodes E1 may include firstsensing patterns SP1 and first connection patterns BP1. The firstconnection patterns BP1 may electrically connect two first sensingpatterns SP1 adjacent to each other.

The second sensing electrodes E2 may extend in the first direction DR1and may be arranged in the second direction DR2. Each of the secondsensing electrodes E2 may include second sensing patterns SP2 and secondconnection patterns BP2. The second connection patterns BP2 mayelectrically connect two second sensing patterns SP2 adjacent to eachother. The two adjacent second sensing patterns SP2 may be connected toeach other by the two connection patterns BP2. However, the inventiveconcepts should not be limited thereto or thereby.

According to the present exemplary embodiment, the first sensingpatterns SP1, the first connection patterns BP1, and the second sensingpatterns SP2 may be included in the second conductive layer IS-CL2. Thefirst sensing patterns SP1, the second sensing patterns SP2, and thefirst connection patterns BP1 may be formed on the second sensinginsulating layer IS-IL2 through the same process and may be defined as asecond electrode portion of the second conductive layer IS-CL2.

The second connection patterns BP2 may be included in the firstconductive layer IS-CL1. The second connection patterns BP2 may bedisposed on the first sensing insulating layer IS-IL1 and may be definedas a first electrode portion of the first conductive layer IS-CL1.

Each of the first sensing patterns SP1 may include a first portion SP1a, a second portion SP1 b, and a third portion SP1 c.

The first portion SP1 a may extend in the second direction DR2. One endof the first portion SP1 a may be connected to one first connectionpattern BP1, and the other end of the first portion SP1 a may beconnected to another first connection pattern BP1. The first portion SP1a may be referred to as a trunk portion. Since the first connectionpatterns BP1 and the first sensing patterns SP1 have a single connectedstructure, the first connection patterns BP1 may be defined as portionsof the first portion SP1 a.

The second portion SP1 b may protrude from the first portion SP1 a tothe first direction DR1. For example, the second portion SP1 b mayprotrude in a direction away from a center area of the first portion SP1a. The second portion SP1 b may be referred to as a protrusion portion.

A plurality of the third portions SP1 c may be provided. The thirdportions SP1 c may extend in a fourth direction DR4 or a fifth directionDR5 from the first portion SP1 a. Some portions of the third portionsSP1 c may extend in the fourth direction DR4, and the other portions ofthe third portions SP1 c may extend in the fifth direction DR5. Each ofthe third portions SP1 c may be referred to as a “branch portion”.

The fourth direction DR4 may be a direction crossing the first directionDR1 and the second direction DR2. For example, the fourth direction DR4may be a direction between the is first direction DR1 and the seconddirection DR2. The fifth direction DR5 may be a direction crossing thefourth direction DR4. For example, the fourth direction DR4 and thefifth direction DR5 may be substantially perpendicular to each other.

Each of the second sensing patterns SP2 may have a shape correspondingto a shape of the first sensing patterns SP1 adjacent thereto. Each ofthe second sensing patterns SP2 may surround at least two third portionsSP1 c of each of the first sensing patterns SP1 adjacent thereto.

The sensing lines SL-T, SL-R1, and SL-R2 may overlap the peripheral areaNAR and may be disposed on the second sensing insulating layer IS-IL2.The sensing lines SL-T, SL-R1, and SL-R2 may be formed on the secondsensing insulating layer IS-IL2 through the same process as the firstsensing electrodes E1 and the second sensing electrodes E2.

The sensing lines SL-T, SL-R1, and SL-R2 may include first sensing linesSL-T and second sensing lines SL-R1 and SL-R2. The pad portions PD1, PD2a, and PD2 b may overlap the peripheral area NAR and may include firstsensing pads PD1, first sub-sensing pads PD2 a, and second sub-sensingpads PD2 b. The first sensing pads PD1 may be disposed between the firstsub-sensing pads PD2 a and the second sub-sensing pads PD2 b.

One ends of the first sensing lines SL-T may be electrically connectedto the first sensing electrodes E1, respectively, and the other ends ofthe first sensing lines SL-T may be electrically connected to the firstsensing pads PD1, respectively.

The second sensing lines SL-R1 and SL-R2 may include first sub-sensinglines SL-R1 disposed at a left side with respect to the second sensingelectrodes E2 and second sub-sensing lines SL-R2 disposed at a rightside with respect to the second sensing electrodes E2. The first sensinglines SL-T may be disposed between the first sub-sensing lines SL-R1 andthe second sub-sensing lines SL-R2.

One ends of the first sub-sensing lines SL-R1 may be electricallyconnected to some second sensing electrodes among the second sensingelectrodes E2, respectively, and the other ends of the first sub-sensinglines SL-R1 may be electrically connected to the first sub-sensing padsPD2 a, respectively.

One ends of the second sub-sensing lines SL-R2 may be electricallyconnected to the other second sensing electrodes among the secondsensing electrodes E2, respectively, and the other ends of the secondsub-sensing lines SL-R2 may be electrically connected to the secondsub-sensing pads PD2 b, respectively.

However, the connection structure of the sensing lines SL-T, SL-R1, andSL-R2 should not be limited to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 6and may be changed to have various shapes.

According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, each ofthe sensing lines SL-T, SL-R1, and SL-R2 may have a double-layeredinvention. Each of the sensing lines SL-T, SL-R1, and SL-R2 may beelectrically in contact with an auxiliary sensing line (not shown)disposed on the first sensing insulating layer IS-IL1 through at leastone contact hole defined through the second sensing insulating layerIS-IL2. The sensing lines SL-T, SL-R1, and SL-R2 may correspond to thesecond line portion of the second conductive layer IS-CL2.

A plurality of the auxiliary sensing lines may be provided torespectively correspond to the sensing lines SL-T, SL-R1, and SL-R2, andmay be disposed on the first sensing insulating layer IS-IL1. Theauxiliary sensing lines may correspond to the first line portion of thefirst conductive layer IS-CL1.

As described above, since the sensing lines SL-T, SL-R1, and SL-R2electrically is make contact with the auxiliary sensing lines disposedon different layers from each other, respectively, reliability of theelectrical signals transmitted to the sensing electrodes E1 and E2 maybe improved. For instance, although some of the sensing lines aredisconnected, the electrical signals may be transmitted to the sensingelectrodes through the auxiliary sensing lines electrically makingcontact with the sensing lines. Details on the above will be describedwith reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B.

The dummy patterns DMP may be spaced apart from the first sensingpatterns SP1 and the second sensing patterns SP2. The dummy patterns DMPmay be formed on the second sensing insulating layer IS-IL2 through thesame process as the first sensing patterns SP1 and the second sensingpatterns SP2. Accordingly, the dummy patterns DMP may include the samematerial as and may have the same stack structure as the first sensingpatterns SP1, the second sensing patterns SP2, and the sensing linesSL-T, SL-R1, and SL-R2. The dummy patterns DMP may be referred to as“auxiliary patterns”, “additional patterns”, “sub-patterns”, or“boundary patterns”.

The dummy patterns DMP may include a first pattern DMPa and a secondpattern DMPb. The first pattern DMPa may be disposed between the firstsensing pattern SP1 and the second sensing pattern SP2. The secondpattern DMPb may be disposed between the second sensing patterns SP2.For example, the second pattern DMPb may be disposed between two secondsensing patterns SP2 adjacent to each other in the second direction DR2,and thus, the two second sensing patterns SP2 may be spaced apart fromeach other.

The second pattern DMPb may include a first boundary pattern MP1 andsecond boundary patterns MP2. The first boundary pattern MP1 may have alozenge shape in a plan view. The second boundary patterns MP2 may bespaced apart from each other with the first is boundary pattern MP1interposed therebetween. Each of the second boundary patterns MP2 mayextend in the first direction DR1. Each of the second boundary patternsMP2 may be connected to the first boundary pattern MP1 and the firstpattern DMPa.

As the first pattern DMPa is disposed between the first sensing patternsSP1 and the second sensing patterns SP2 and the second pattern DMPb isdisposed between the second sensing patterns SP2, a visibility of aboundary area between the first sensing patterns SP1 and the secondsensing patterns SP2 and a boundary area between the second sensingpatterns SP2 may be reduced.

Some dummy patterns among the dummy patterns DMP may be floatingelectrodes that are not electrically connected to the first sensingpatterns SP1 and the second sensing patterns SP2. Alternatively, somedummy patterns among the dummy patterns DMP may be grounded. The otherdummy patterns among the dummy patterns DMP may be connected to thefirst sensing patterns SP1 or the second sensing patterns SP2 to improvea sensitivity of the sensing unit ISU.

Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, each of the first sensing patterns SP1,the first connection patterns BP1, the second sensing patterns SP2, thesecond connection patterns BP2, and the dummy patterns DMP may have amesh structure. Boundaries BD between the first sensing patterns SP1,the second sensing patterns SP2, and the dummy patterns DMP may bedefined by removing portions of the mesh structure. In FIG. 7A, theboundaries BD are indicated by solid lines to clearly show theboundaries BD. The removed portions of the mesh structures shown in FIG.7B may correspond to the boundaries BD. In addition, disconnectionportions CTP defined by removing portions of the mesh structures may befurther provided to prevent the boundaries from being viewed.

FIG. 8A is a plan view showing the sensing signal lines shown in FIG. 6according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8Bis a cross-sectional view taken along a line I-I′ shown in FIG. 8Aaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As described with reference to FIG. 6, each of the sensing lines SL-T,SL-R1, and SL-R2 may have a double-layered structure. That is, thesensing lines SL-T, SL-R1, and SL-R2 may be electrically in contact withthe auxiliary sensing lines disposed on different layers from eachother, respectively. According to the present exemplary embodiment, eachof the sensing lines SL-T, SL-R1, and SL-R2 may have substantially thesame double-layered structure.

Referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, each of the first sensing lines SL-T maybe electrically in contact with a first auxiliary sensing line SL-Tdthrough a plurality of first contact holes CH1 spaced apart from eachother in a plan view.

A plurality of the first auxiliary sensing lines SL-Td may be providedto correspond to the number of the first sensing lines SL-T and may bedisposed on the first sensing insulating layer IS-IL1. The first sensinglines SL-T may overlap the first auxiliary sensing lines SL-Td and maybe disposed on the second sensing insulating layer IS-IL2. The firstsensing lines SL-T may be electrically in contact with the firstauxiliary sensing lines SL-Td through the first contact holes CH1defined through the second sensing insulating layer IS-IL2,respectively.

Each of the first sub-sensing lines SL-R1 may be electrically in contactwith a second auxiliary sensing line SL-R1 d through a plurality ofsecond contact holes CH2 spaced apart from each other in a plan view.Similarly, the first sub-sensing lines SL-R1 may be electrically incontact with the second auxiliary sensing lines SL-R1 d through thesecond contact holes CH2 defined through the second sensing insulatinglayer IS-IL2, respectively.

Each of the second sub-sensing lines SL-R2 may be electrically incontact with a third auxiliary sensing line SL-R2 d through a pluralityof third contact holes CH3 spaced apart from each other in a plan view.Similarly, the second sub-sensing lines SL-R2 may be electrically incontact with the third auxiliary sensing lines SL-R2 d through the thirdcontact holes CH3 defined through the second sensing insulating layerIS-IL2, respectively.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view showing an area BB shown in FIG. 6 accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is across-sectional view taken along a line II-IF shown in FIG. 9 accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 9, the sensing unit ISU may further includefirst connection electrodes CNE-T respectively connected to ends of thefirst sensing patterns SP1 and second connection electrodes CNE-Rrespectively connected to ends of the second sensing patterns SP2. Thefirst connection electrodes CNE-T may be spaced apart from each otherand may be formed on the second sensing insulating layer IS-IL2 throughthe same process as the first sensing patterns SP1. The secondconnection electrodes CNE-R may be spaced apart from each other and maybe formed on the second sensing insulating layer IS-IL2 through the sameprocess as the second sensing patterns SP2. According to the presentexemplary embodiment, the first connection electrodes CNE-T and thesecond connection electrodes CNE-R may be formed on the second sensinginsulating layer IS-IL2 through the same process.

Each of the first connection electrodes CNE-T and the second connectionelectrodes CNE-R may be connected to the end of the correspondingsensing pattern of the sensing patterns SP1 and SP2 having the meshstructure at at least two points. In this case, the end of the sensingpattern may mean a portion adjacent to the peripheral area NAR.

According to the present invention, each of the first connectionelectrodes CNE-T is and the second connection electrodes CNE-R may havethe double-layered structure. For instance, the first connectionelectrodes CNE-T may be electrically in contact with first auxiliaryconnection electrodes (not shown), respectively, through contact holesdefined through the second sensing insulating layer IS-IL2. The secondconnection electrodes CNE-R may be electrically in contact with secondauxiliary connection electrodes (not shown), respectively, throughcontact holes defined through the second sensing insulating layerIS-IL2. The first auxiliary connection electrodes and the secondauxiliary connection electrodes may be formed on the first sensinginsulating layer IS-IL1.

In detail, as shown in FIG. 6, the first sensing lines SL-T may bedisposed between the first sub-sensing lines SL-R1 and the secondsub-sensing lines SL-R2 and may be electrically connected to one ends ofthe first sensing electrodes E1. The one ends of the first sensingelectrodes E1 may be areas adjacent to the pad portions PD1, PD2 a, andPD2 b (refer to FIG. 6).

As shown in FIG. 9, the first sensing lines SL-T may include a firstsensing line SL-Ta, and the second sub-sensing lines SL-R2 may include asecond sensing line SL-R2 a. The first sensing line SL-Ta may be closestto the second sub-sensing lines SL-R2 among the first sensing linesSL-T, and the second sensing line SL-R2 a may be closest to the firstsensing lines SL-T among the second sub-sensing lines SL-R2.

The first sensing line SL-Ta may be electrically connected to acorresponding first connection electrode CNE-T among the firstconnection electrodes CNE-T. The first connection electrode CNE-T may beconnected to one end of one first sensing electrode E1 among the firstsensing electrodes E1. The first connection electrode CNE-T may beconnected directly to the first sensing pattern SP1 of the first sensingelectrode E1. The first sensing line SL-Ta may be is disposed on thesame layer as the first connection electrode CNE-T.

The second sensing line SL-R2 a may be electrically connected to onesecond connection electrode CNE-R among the second connection electrodesCNE-R. The second connection electrode CNE-R may be connected to one endof one second sensing electrode E2 adjacent to the one end of the firstsensing electrode E1 among the second sensing electrodes E2. The secondconnection electrode CNE-R may be connected directly to the secondsensing pattern SP2 of the second sensing electrode E2. The secondsensing line SL-R2 a may be disposed on the same layer as the secondconnection electrode CNE-R and may be formed through the same process asthe first sensing line SL-Ta and the first connection electrode CNE-T.

The first sensing line SL-Ta according to the present invention may bedisposed between the second connection electrode CNE-R and secondsensing line SL-R2 a in a plan view. In particular, one end of thesecond sensing line SL-R2 a may be spaced apart from the secondconnection electrode CNE-R with the first sensing line SL-Ta interposedtherebetween. As a result, the second sensing line SL-R2 a may beelectrically separated from the second connection electrode CNE-R by thefirst sensing line SL-Ta.

According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, thesensing unit ISU may include a connection portion BRE disposed on adifferent layer from the first sensing line SL-Ta and the second sensingline SL-R2 a. The connection portion BRE may be formed on the firstsensing insulating layer IS-IL1 and may correspond to the first lineportion of the first conductive layer IS-CL1. The connection portion BREmay electrically connect the second sensing line SL-R2 a to the secondconnection electrode CNE-R through contact holes defined through thesecond sensing insulating layer IS-IL2. As a result, the electricalsignal transmitted through the second sensing line SL-R2 a may beapplied to the second sensing pattern SP2 is through the connectionportion BRE and the second connection electrode CNE-R.

In particular, according to the present invention, the second sensingline SL-R2 a may include a first line area LR1 and a second line areaLR2, which have different line widths from each other. The connectionportion BRE may be connected to the second auxiliary sensing lineoverlapping the second line area LR2 having the line width greater thanthe first line area LR1.

The connection portion BRE may include a first connection line BREa anda second connection line BREb. Each of the first connection line BREaand the second connection line BREb may be disposed on the first sensinginsulating layer IS-IL1 corresponding to the first conductive layerIS-CL1.

According to the present invention, the first connection line BREa mayintersect the first sensing line SL-Ta disposed on another layer in aplan view. In addition, the first connection line BREa may not overlap afirst auxiliary sensing line SL-Tda electrically making contact with thefirst sensing line SL-Ta, which will be described with reference to FIG.11.

That is, the first connection line BREa may be spaced apart from thefirst auxiliary sensing line SL-Tda and may include one end electricallyconnected to the second connection electrode CNE-R and the other endelectrically connected to the second sensing line SL-R2 b.

In detail, referring to FIG. 10, the second sensing insulating layerIS-IL2 may define a first contact hole CH1 a and a second contact holeCH2 a. The second connection electrode CNE-R may be electricallyconnected to a second auxiliary connection electrode CNE-Rd through thefirst contact hole CH1 a. The second sensing line SL-R2 a may beelectrically connected to a second auxiliary sensing line SL-R2 adthrough the second contact hole CH2 a.

One end of the first connection line BREa may be connected to the secondis auxiliary connection electrode CNE-Rd, and the other end of the firstconnection line BREa may be connected to the second auxiliary sensingline SL-R2 ad. According to the present invention, the first connectionline BREa, the second auxiliary connection electrode CNE-Rd, and thesecond auxiliary sensing line SL-R2 ad may be formed on the firstsensing insulating layer IS-IL1 in an integral shape through the sameprocess.

The electrical signal transmitted through the second sensing line SL-R2a may be applied to the second connection electrode CNE-R through thesecond auxiliary sensing line SL-R2 ad, the first connection line BREa,and the second auxiliary connection electrode CNE-Rd. As a result, theelectrical signal may be transmitted to the second sensing pattern SP2connected to the second connection electrode CNE-R.

The first sensing line SL-Ta may overlap at least a portion of the firstconnection line BREa and may be disposed on the second sensinginsulating layer IS-IL2. When viewed in a plan view, the firstconnection line BREa may intersect the first sensing line SL-Ta.

In particular, the first sensing line SL-Ta may overlap the firstconnection line BREa and may include a first portion Ta1, a secondportion Ta2, and a third portion Ta3, which are spaced apart from eachother in a plan view. The first portion Ta1, the second portion Ta2, andthe third portion Ta3 may be disposed between the second connectionelectrode CNE-R and the second sensing line SL-R2 a.

Referring to FIG. 9 again, the second connection line BREb may be spacedapart from the first connection line BREa and may intersect the firstsensing line SL-Ta. In addition, the second connection line BREb may notoverlap the first auxiliary sensing line SL-Tda that electrically makescontact with the first sensing line SL-Ta, which will be described withreference to FIG. 11. The second connection line BREb may be spacedapart from the first is auxiliary sensing line SL-Tda when viewed in aplan view and may include one end electrically connected to the secondconnection electrode CNE-R and the other end electrically connected tothe second sensing line SL-R2 b.

In addition, although not shown, the second connection line BREb mayhave substantially the same structure as the first connection line BREashown in FIG. 10. For instance, one end of the second connection lineBREb may be connected to the second auxiliary connection electrodeCNE-Rd, and the other end of the second connection line BREb may beconnected to the second auxiliary sensing line SL-R2 ad.

The electrical signal transmitted through the second sensing line SL-R2a may be applied to the second connection electrode CNE-R through thesecond auxiliary sensing line SL-R2 ad, the second connection line BREb,and the second auxiliary connection electrode CNE-Rd. As a result, theelectrical signal may be transmitted to the second sensing pattern SP2connected to the second connection electrode CNE-R.

As described above, the second sensing line SL-R2 a according to thepresent invention may be separated from the second connection electrodeCNE-R by the first sensing line SL-Ta. However, the second sensing lineSL-R2 a and the second connection electrode CNE-R may be electricallyconnected to each other by the connection portion BRE. FIG. 9 shows theconnection portion BRE that includes two connection lines BREa and BREb.However, the inventive concepts should not be limited thereto. That is,the connection portion BRE may include at least one connection line thatconnects the second sensing line SL-R2 a and the second connectionelectrode CNE-R.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing the first sensing lineSL-Ta and the first auxiliary sensing line SL-Tda shown in FIG. 9according to an exemplary embodiment is of the present invention

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 11, the first sensing line SL-Ta among thefirst sensing lines SL-T may include first and second line portions SA1and SA2, each having a first line width DS1, and a third line portionSA3 having a second line width DS2 greater than the first line widthDS1. The third line portion SA3 may be disposed between the first lineportions SA1 and SA2.

One end of the first line portion SA1 may be connected to acorresponding second sub-sensing pad among the second sub-sensing padsPD2 b, and the other end of the first line portion SA1 may be connectedto one end of the third line portion SA3. One end of the second lineportion SA2 may be connected to the first connection electrode CNE-T,and the other end of the second line portion SA2 may be connected to theother end of the third line portion SA3. The first line portion SA1, thesecond line portion SA2, and the third line portion SA3 may beintegrally formed with each other.

According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, thethird line portion SA3 may be provided with at least one opening OPkdefined therethrough and extending in a longitudinal direction of thefirst sensing line SL-Ta. FIG. 11 shows two openings OPk as arepresentative example.

The third line portion SA3 may include the first portion Ta1, the secondportion Ta2, and the third portion Ta3, which are spaced apart from eachother in the plan view shown in FIG. 10. Each of the first portion Ta1,the second portion Ta2, and the third portion Ta3 may have a line widthless than a line width of each of the first sensing lines except for thefirst sensing line SL-Ta among the first sensing lines SL-T.

In particular, the first connection line BREa and the second connectionline BREb is may cross the third line portion SA3 in a plan view. Acoupling between the first connection line BREa and the third lineportion SA3 that cross each other may be reduced through the openingsOPk defined through the third line portion SA3. Similarly, a couplingbetween the second connection line BREb and the third line portion SA3that cross each other may be reduced through the openings OPk definedthrough the third line portion SA3.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 9, the second line width DS2 of the thirdline portion SA3 may be greater than the line width of the secondsensing line SL-R2 a.

The first auxiliary sensing line SL-Tda may include first auxiliaryportions TP1 a and TP1 b respectively overlapping the first and secondline portions SA1 and SA2, and a second auxiliary portion TP2overlapping the third line portion SA3. The second auxiliary portion TP2may be disposed between the first auxiliary portions TP1 a and TP1 b andmay be spaced apart from the first auxiliary portions TP1 a and TP1 b.

According to the present invention, the first connection line BREa andthe second connection line BREb may be respectively disposed in spacesOPa and OPb between the second auxiliary portion TP2 and the firstauxiliary portion TP1 a and between the second auxiliary portion TP2 andthe first auxiliary portion TP1 b. The first connection line BREa andthe second connection line BREb may be electrically separated from thefirst auxiliary sensing line SL-Tda by the spaces OPa and OPb.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view showing an area BB shown in FIG. 6 accordingto another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is across-sectional view taken along a line shown in FIG. 12 according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, the first sensing line SL-Ta1 may have aconstant is line width. That is, the first sensing lines SL-T may havethe same line width as each other.

The connection portion BRE-1 may correspond to a first line portion of afirst conductive layer IS-CL1 and may include a first connection lineBRE1 and a second connection line BRE2. As described with reference toFIG. 9, each of the first connection line BRE1 and the second connectionline BRE2 may electrically connect a second connection electrode CNE-Rand a second sub sensing line SL-R2.

Each of the first connection line BRE1 and the second connection lineBRE2 of the connection portion BRE-1 may include at least onesub-connection lines crossing the first sensing line SL-Ta1. Accordingto the present invention, each of the first connection line BRE1 and thesecond connection line BRE2 may include three sub-connection lines.However, the number of the sub-connection lines may vary.

As shown in FIG. 13, the first connection line BRE1 may include threesub-connection lines BRE1 a, BRE1 b, and BRE1 c spaced apart from eachother in a plan view. At least a portion of each of the threesub-connection lines BRE1 a, BRE1 b, and BRE1 c may overlap the firstsensing line SL-Ta1.

In addition, the three sub-connection lines BRE1 a, BRE1 b, and BRE1 cmay not overlap a first auxiliary line SL-Tda1. For instance, the threesub-connection lines BRE1 a, BRE1 b, and BRE1 c may be disposed in thespaces OPa and OPb described with reference to FIG. 11.

According to the above, the input sensing layer includes the firstsensing line connected to the first sensing pattern and the secondsensing line connected to the second sensing pattern spaced apart fromthe first sensing pattern. The first sensing line is disposed betweenthe connection electrode and the second sensing line in a plan view.

The connection portion crosses the first sensing line in the plan view,is disposed on the first insulating layer, and electrically connects thesecond sensing line to the connection electrode through the contactholes defined through the second insulating layer. As a result, theelectrical signals transmitted through the second sensing line aretransmitted to the sensing pattern through the connection portion andthe connection electrode.

Although certain exemplary embodiments and implementations have beendescribed herein, other embodiments and modifications will be apparentfrom this description. Accordingly, the inventive concepts are notlimited to such embodiments, but rather to the broader scope of theappended claims and various obvious modifications and equivalentarrangements as would be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in theart.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sensing unit comprising: a first conductivelayer comprising a first line portion comprising a first auxiliarysensing line, a second auxiliary sensing line, and a connection linehaving one end connected to the second auxiliary sensing line; aninsulating layer disposed on the first conductive layer; and a secondconductive layer disposed on the insulating layer, the second conductivelayer comprising: an electrode portion comprising a first sensingpattern and a second sensing pattern spaced apart from the first sensingpattern in a plan view; and a second line portion comprising a firstsensing line overlapping the first auxiliary sensing line andelectrically connected to the first sensing pattern and a second sensingline overlapping the second auxiliary sensing line and spaced apart fromthe first sensing line, wherein the first sensing line is disposedbetween the second sensing pattern and the second sensing line, and theconnection line does not overlap the first auxiliary sensing line,crosses the first sensing line in the plan view, and electricallyconnects the second sensing line to the second sensing pattern throughcontact holes defined through the insulating layer.
 2. The sensing unitof claim 1, wherein the second conductive layer further comprises aconnection electrode connected to an end of the second sensing pattern,and the first conductive layer further comprises an auxiliary connectionelectrode electrically connected to the connection electrode through afirst contact hole among the contact holes and connected to the otherend of the connection line.
 3. The sensing unit of claim 2, wherein thefirst sensing line is disposed between the connection line and thesecond sensing line, and the second sensing line is electricallyconnected to the second auxiliary sensing line through a second contacthole among the contact holes.
 4. The sensing unit of claim 1, whereinthe first sensing line comprises a first line portion having a firstline width and a second line portion having a second line width greaterthan the first line width, and the connection line crosses the secondline portion in the plan view.
 5. The sensing unit of claim 4, whereinthe second line portion of the first sensing line is greater than a linewidth of the second sensing line.
 6. The sensing unit of claim 4,wherein an opening is defined through the second line portion of thefirst sensing line and extends in a longitudinal direction of the firstsensing line, and the connection line overlaps the opening.
 7. Thesensing unit of claim 4, wherein the first auxiliary sensing linecomprises a first auxiliary portion overlapping the first line portionand a second auxiliary portion overlapping the second line portion andspaced apart from the first auxiliary portion, and the connection lineis disposed in a space between the first auxiliary portion and thesecond auxiliary portion.
 8. The sensing unit of claim 1, wherein thesecond sensing line comprises a first line area and a second line area,which have different line widths from each other, and the connectionline is connected to the second auxiliary sensing line overlapping thesecond line area having a line width greater than the first line area.9. The sensing unit of claim 1, wherein the connection line comprises: afirst connection line crossing the first sensing line and electricallyconnecting the second sensing line and the second sensing pattern; and asecond connection line spaced apart from the first connection line,crossing the first sensing line, and electrically connecting the secondsensing line and the second sensing pattern.
 10. The sensing unit ofclaim 9, wherein each of the first connection line and the secondconnection line comprises a plurality of sub-connection lines crossingthe first sensing line and spaced apart from each other.
 11. The sensingunit of claim 1, wherein the electrode portion further comprises: aplurality of first sensing electrodes extending in a first direction andarranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction,each of the first sensing electrodes comprising a plurality of the firstsensing patterns and first connection patterns connecting the firstsensing patterns; and a plurality of second sensing electrodes arrangedin the first direction and extending in the second direction, each ofthe second sensing electrodes comprising a plurality of the secondsensing patterns, and the second line portion further comprises aplurality of first sensing lines respectively connected to the firstsensing electrodes and a plurality of second sensing lines respectivelyconnected to the second sensing electrodes.
 12. The sensing unit ofclaim 11, wherein the first sensing line is one first sensing lineclosest to the second sensing lines among the first sensing lines, andthe second sensing line is one second sensing line closest to the firstsensing lines among the second sensing lines.
 13. The sensing unit ofclaim 11, wherein the second sensing lines comprise first sub-sensinglines and second sub-sensing lines spaced apart from the firstsub-sensing lines with the second sensing electrodes interposedtherebetween, the first sub-sensing lines are respectively connected toone ends of corresponding second sensing electrodes among the secondsensing electrodes, and the second sub-sensing lines are respectivelyconnected to the other ends of the other corresponding second sensingelectrodes among the second sensing electrodes.
 14. The sensing unit ofclaim 11, wherein the first conductive layer comprises second connectionpatterns that electrically connect the second sensing patterns to eachother.
 15. A display device comprising: a display panel; and an sensingunit disposed on the display panel and comprising a sensing area and aperipheral area adjacent to the sensing area, which are defined therein,the sensing unit comprising: an electrode portion disposed on thesensing area and comprising a first sensing electrode and a secondsensing electrode spaced apart from the first sensing electrode in aplan view; a line portion overlapping the peripheral area and comprisinga first sensing line connected to the first sensing electrode and asecond sensing line spaced apart from the first sensing line; and aconnection portion disposed on a different layer from the first sensingline and the second sensing line, the connection portion electricallyconnecting the second sensing line and the second sensing electrode,wherein the connection line crosses the first sensing line disposedbetween the second sensing electrode and the second sensing line in aplan view and is insulated from the first sensing line.
 16. The displaydevice of claim 15, further comprising a connection electrode connectedto an end of the second sensing electrode, wherein one end of theconnection line is electrically connected to the connection electrode,and the other end of the connection line is electrically connected tothe second sensing line.
 17. The display device of claim 15, wherein thesensing unit comprises: a first insulating layer disposed on the displaypanel; a second insulating layer covering the connection line disposedon the first insulating layer; and a third insulating layer covering theelectrode portion and the line portion, which are disposed on the secondinsulating layer.
 18. The display device of claim 17, wherein each ofthe first sensing line and the second sensing line comprises: a firstline disposed on the first insulating layer; and a second lineoverlapping the first line, disposed on the second insulating layer, andelectrically connected to the first line through a plurality of contactholes defined through the second insulating layer.
 19. An sensing unitcomprising: a first insulating layer comprising an sensing area and aperipheral area adjacent to the sensing area; a first conductive layerdisposed on the first insulating layer and comprising a connection lineoverlapping the peripheral area and a first electrode portion disposedon the sensing area; a second insulating layer disposed on the firstconductive layer; and a line portion disposed on the second insulatinglayer and comprising a second electrode portion comprising first andsecond sensing electrodes disposed on the sensing area and spaced apartfrom each other, a first sensing line overlapping the peripheral areaand connected to the first sensing electrode, and a second sensing linespaced apart from the second sensing electrode with the first sensingline interposed therebetween, wherein the connection line crosses thefirst sensing line in a plan view and electrically connects the secondsensing electrode and the second sensing line through a contact holedefined through the second insulating layer.
 20. The display device ofclaim 19, wherein the contact hole comprises a first contact holethrough which the second sensing electrode is electrically connected toone end of the connection line and a second contact hole through whichthe second sensing line is electrically connected to the other end ofthe connection line, and the first sensing line overlaps a space betweenthe first contact hole and the second contact hole.